Casket construction and method of making same

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an improved metal casket construction and an improved method of making such casket construction wherein a plurality of elongated extruded metal members are provided in standard lengths and suitably cut, formed, and fastened together to provide a high strength fluid tight casket. The side walls of the casket are formed by arranging the extruded metal members horizontally one above the other. The contiguous horizontal edges of adjacent metal members have flanges extending inwardly toward the center of the casket, and these flanges are fastened to one another in a fluid tight manner.

United States Patent Mack [54] CASKET CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME [21] Appl.No.: 22,121

Related US. Application Data' [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 637,754, May ll, 1967,

abandoned [521 us. a ..27/6, 27/10 51 1 1m. Cl ..A6lg 17/00 [58] Field of Search ..27/2, 6, l0, l1, 15; 220/83, 220/DlG. 25, DIG. 29

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 23,652 4/1859 Barstow "1.27/6

[451 July 18,1972

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner'l'heatrice Brown Attorney-Gibbs and Thompson [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to an improved metal casket construction and an improved method of making such casket construction wherein a plurality of elongated extruded metal members are provided in standard lengths and suitably cut, formed, and fastened together to provide a high strength fluid tight casket. The side walls of the casket are formed by arranging the extruded metal members horizontally one above the other. The contiguous horizontal edges of adjacent metal members have flanges extending inwardly toward the center of the casket, and these flanges are fastened to one another in a fluid tight manner.

9 Claim, 11 Drawing figures Patented July 18, 1972 3,676,905

4 Sheets-Sheet l I i IIIIIIIIIIIIJIIIIII HIS ATTORNEYS R 0K mm A MM T ,M 3 6 N 7 5 Patented July 18, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR GRANT V. MACK HIS ATTORNEYS LET AVMLHELE mp3? Patented July 18, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet .3

INVENTOR GRANT V. MACK H S ATTORNEYS PW Al-LAELE Mm. Patent ly 18, 1972 3,676,905

4 sheets s eet INVE'NTOR GRANT V. MACK CASKET CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 637,754, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The casket industry has the basic problem of providing a casket construction which has durability, strength, and corrosion resistance; yet, such casket construction must have a pleasing appearance and be fairly inexpensive. The casket constructions on the market today do not satisfactorily meet the above requirements.

SUMIVIARY This invention provides an improved fluid tight metal casket construction and a method of making same which has great durability, corrosion resistance, and strength. Further, the casket construction of this invention has metal side wall means made with a plurality of artistic contours providing a pleasing appearance without being prohibitive in cost.

Other details and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description of the embodiments thereof presented in the accompanying drawing proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawing illustrates present preferred embodiments of this invention, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary substantially rectangular casket construction or casket of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating seal means provided between top edge means of side wall means of such casket construction and top wall means thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the casket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the casket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken between and parallel to the end walls of the casket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view with a portion thereof broken away showing a metallic member used to make top wall means of the casket of FIG. 1 being formed by extrusion through associated die means;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating an elongated metallic member used to make the top portion of the side wall means of such casket being similarly formed by extrusion;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating an elongated metallic member used to make the bottom portion of the side wall means of such casket being similarly formed by extrusion;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating an elongated metallic member used to make bottom wall means of such casket being similarly formed by extrusion; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating another embodiment of this invention wherein adjoining end wall means and side wall means of the casket of FIG. 1 are defined by suitably notching ad bending a plurality of elongated metallic members so that such members extend in two mutually perpendicular planes and define portions of such end wall means and side wall means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Most of the metal caskets currently sold in the casket industry are made of steel which results in the provision of caskets which are quite heavy for an acceptable wall thickness and which are very susceptible to comparatively rapid corrosion even after having been treated or coated with corrosion resisting materials. In addition, steel caskets are comparatively difficult to manufacture with side wall means having a plurality of artistic contours. On the other hand, caskets made of copper are also used and have the desired corrosion resistance while being comparatively easier to manufacture with artistic contours; yet, copper caskets are very expensive.

The exemplary casket construction of this invention and method of making same which will now be described in detail is preferably made of metal containing aluminum which enables metallic members used to form side wall means of such casket construction to be inexpensively extruded with artistic contours having a pleasing appearance.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawing, an improved metallic casket construction such as a casket 20 having a substantially rectangular peripheral outline is shown. Metallic casket 20 has bottom wall means designated by the numeral 21, top wall means 22, and side wall means having an outer configuration defined by a plurality of artistic contours.

The side wall means comprising casket 20 comprises a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls each designated by the numeral 23 apart side walls each designated by the numeral 23 and a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart end walls each designated by the numeral 24. Each wall 23 and 24 is made of a plurality of elongated horizontal metallic members each having inwardly projecting horizontal flange means along at least one terminal horizontal edge thereof. The elongated members in each wall are substantially panel-like members which are aligned and fastened one above the other to define an associated substantially vertical extending wall. The flange means provided in each member enable each member to be fastened in a concealed manner yet providing a structural connection of high strength.

In this example of the invention each side wall 23 is defined by a plurality of two elongated metallic members designated by the numerals 25 and 26 and fastened together along a horizontally extending terminal side edge thereof. Each end wall 24 is formed by a plurality of two metallic members designated by the numerals 30 and 31 and similarly fastened together along a horizontally extending terminal side edge thereof.

Members 25 and 30 have a plurality of identical exterior contours and are fastened together at their ends, in a manner to be subsequently described, to define the lower portion of each wall 23 and 24 respectively. The only difference between a member 25 and 30 is that each member 3@ is shorter than members 25 in accordance with the substantially narrower transverse dimension or width of casket 20.

In a similar manner, members 26 and 31 have a plurality of identical exterior contours and are fastened together at their ends to define the upper portion of each wall 23 and 24 respectively. Once again the only difference between a member 26 and 31 is that each member 31 is shorter in length than members 26 to correspond to the comparatively smaller width of end walls 24 as compared with side walls 23.

A detailed description of the structural configuration of member 25 will now be presented. Inasmuch as members 25 and 30 are identical in structural configuration (except for length) such detailed description will be fully applicable to each member 30 merely by substituting the numeral 30 for the numeral 25 throughout the description. Therefore, such description will not be repeated for member 30.

Each member 25 has a substantially horizontally extending flange designated by the numeral 33 which is fastened to bottom wall means 21, as will be subsequently described, and a substantially downwardly concave base portion 34 having outer edge means or an outer edge 35 adjoining and extending above outer edge means or the outer edge of flange 33. Downwardly concave base portion 34 has inner edge means or an inner edge 37 extending above and inwardly of the inner edge of flange 33.

Member 25 has an upper portion 38 adjoining inner edge 37 which extends upwardly and outwardly from inner edge 37 and upper portion 38 has a substantially horizontally extending flange 42 which extends inwardly from top edge means or the top edge of upper portion 38. Flange 42 has a width which is substantially equal to the width of flange 33 and flange 42 is arranged approximately vertically above flange 33.

From the above description it will be seen that each member and has a plurality of artistic contours therein with a horizontally extending flange 33 and 42 at the bottom and top respectively of each member 25 and 30. Flanges 33 and 42 extend within casket 20 and enable members 25 and 31 to be securely fastened along their opposite edges.

A detailed description of the structural configuration of member 26 will now be presented. In a similar manner as members 25 and 30, members 26 and 31 are identical in structural configuration (except for length); therefore, such detailed description will be fully applicable to each member 31 merely by substituting the numeral 31 for the numeral 26 throughout the description and hence will not be repeated for member 31.

Member 26 has a substantially horizontally extending flange 43 which is adapted to be fastened to flange 42 and a lower portion 44 extending upwardly from outer edge means or the outer edge 45 of flange 43. Lower portion 44 extends upwardly and outwardly to define a slightly obtuse angle shown at 46 between the inside surfaces of flange 43 and lower portion 44.

Member 26 has an intermediate substantially V-shaped portion designated by the numeral 50 which is arranged substantially horizontally with its closed end shown at 49 arranged ap proximately vertically above flange 43 and the terminal end of its lower leg 5 1 adjoining top edge means of lower portion 44.

A substantially U-shaped flange means 53 defines the top portion of each member 26 and such U-shaped flange has a substantially vertically extending base 54 adjoining the terminal end of the opposite leg 55 of V-shaped portion 50. U- shaped flange 53 has a pair of parallel legs each designated by the numeral 56 extending substantially horizontally inwardly from base portion 54. The outer or top surface of the top leg 56 defines a hearing or sealing surface shown at 60 against which suitable seal means is engaged and suitably fastened in sealing relation.

in this example of the invention saw tooth ridge means shown as a saw tooth ridge 61 is provided on the inside surface means of each leg 56 so that such saw tooth ridges 61 face each other. Each ridge 61 is provided as an integral part of its associated leg 56 and provides a surface against which linear means or the like may be securely fastened to enable forming of casket 20 with its liner suitably held therein in a simple and efficient manner.

Members 26 and 31 thus have identical artistic contours therein and a horizontally extending lower flange 43 which is adapted to be fastened against an associated flange 42 of an adjoining lower member. In addition, members 26 and Si are fastened so that their top surfaces 60 provide a sealing surface about the top of the entire rectangular periphery of the vertical wall means of casket 20 once members 26 and 31 are fastened in positionv Members 25 nd 30 defining the lower portion of vertical wall means 23 and 24 of casket 20 and members 26 and 31 defining the upper portion of such vertical wall means are fastened together along their associated adjoining flanges 42 and 43 in a concealed manner within casket 20. Such fastening may be achieved by welding, brazing, or other suitable fluid tight means. However, irrespective of the manner of fastening such flanges, casket 20 retains its artistic outer contours without marring the outside appearance of such casket.

Bottom wall means 21 comprising casket 20 is defined by a pair of parallel spaced apart metal side sections each designated by the numeral 65 and a pair of parallel spaced apart metal end sections each designated by the numeral 66. Members 65 and 66 are suitably fastened at their opposite ends as by welding, or the like, to define a rectangular peripheral outline defining the bottom outline of casket 20.

Members 65 and 66 are identical in configuration; however, such members are of different lengths to correspond to the dimensions of side wall 23 and end wall 24 respectively of casket 20. Because of this identical configuration only member 65 will be described in detail and, as before, such description is fully applicable to member 66.

Member 65 is substantially L-shaped having a base portion 67 and a vertically extending portion 70 which terminates in a substantially horizontally extending flange 71. Flange 71 is adapted to support and be fastened to an associated flange 33 to thereby fasten walls 23 and 24 to bottom wall means 21. Flanges 33 and 71 are suitably fastened as by welding, brazing, or other fluid tight fastening technique.

The bottom of bottom wall means 21 is defined by a flat sheet of metal shown as a plate 72 which extends between and is supported by the horizontal portions of L-shaped member 65. Plate 72 is suitably fastened as by welding, or the like, to provide a fluid-tight bottom for casket 20.

As seen particularly in FIG. 2 and 5 of the drawings, seal means shown as a seal 75 is provided and suitably fastened in a sealed manner to top sealing surface 60 of each wall 23 and 24. Seal 75 extends around the entire rectangular periphery of casket 20. Seal 75 may be made of any suitable material, such as a rubberlike material, and such seal is adapted to be compressed downwardly by top wall means 22 upon closing casket 20 to provide a fluid tight seal.

Suitable hinge means may also be provided for top wall means 22 in any known suitable manner to enable top wall means 22 to be easily opened and closed. Such hinge means is preferably provided between a top edge of side wall 23 and top wall means 22.

Top wall means 22 is also of rectangular outline corresponding to the substantially rectangular outline defined by side walls 23 and end walls 24. Top wall means 22 is formed by a pair of parallel spaced apart metallic side sections each designated by the numeral 76 and a pair of metallic end sections each designated by the numeral 77. As illustrated in the drawings, sections 76 and 77 have identical contours provided therein and are fastened together at their opposite ends by any suitable means such as by welding, or the like, to define the previously mentioned rectangular peripheral outline.

A detailed description will now be made of the structural configuration of member 76 and such description is fully applicable to member 77 inasmuch as members 76 and 77 are identical, except for length.

Member 76 has a substantially L-shaped base portion designated by the numeral 80 comprising a horizontal section 81 and a vertical section 83. The outside surface of horizontal section 81 defines bearing, i.e. sealing, surface means for top wall means or top 22.

A substantially horizontally extending portion designated by the numeral 82 adjoins and extends inwardly from the top edge of vertical leg 83 of L-shaped member 80 and an inwardly inclined upwardly extending portion designated by the numeral 84 adjoins the terminal inner edge of horizontal portion 82. inclined portion 84 has a substantially horizontally extending flange designated by the numeral 85 which extends inwardly from its top edge.

Each member 76 also has an upwardly extending flange 89 extending from the inner edge of flange 81. Flange 89 increases the structural rigidity of each member 76 and hence of top wall means 22.

Top wall means or top 22 has cover means shown as a metal cover 86 which is fastened to horizontally extending flanges 85 in a fluid tight manner. Cover 86 is of substantially rectangular peripheral outline and has an overall downwardly concave configuration. Cover 86 has flange means or a flange 87 which extends in one horizontal plane enabling cover 86 to be placed on top of sections 76 and 77 so that its flange 87 is supported by flanges 85 and is suitably fastened thereto provide a sealed configuration.

In the embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 1-10 elongated members 25 and 30, 26 and 31, 65 and 66, and 76 and 77 are fastened in a fluid tight manner along their adjoining terminal and edges preferably by welding, brazing, or the like. Prior to fastening associated adjoining members together Another technique for defining comer means in casket construction is illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings. Each member 25, 26, 30, 31, 65, 66, 76, and 77 may be suitably bent to define comer means of such casket. This bending may be achieved by suitable notches provided in the horizontally extending flange portions of such members and bending such members using suitable fixtures to assure the contoured peripheral configuration remains intact. This technique of defining the comers by bending contoured members provides a casket construction having a practically flawless appearance at its comers.

The bent construction illustrated in the fragmentary perspective view of FIG. 11 of the drawings shows a fragmentary portion of members 25, 26, 65, and 76 bent to extend in two mutually perpendicular planes. However, it will be appreciated that any one or all of such members may be bent to define a U-shaped member extending in three planes as well as in four planes to define particularly the entire rectangular peripheral outline of a casket similar to casket 20. In those applications wherein each member 25, 26, 65, and 76 is bent in U-shaped sections, it is preferable to form two substantially identical U-shaped sections suitably interconnected by straight sections to define the entire peripheral outline of the casket construction.

Each elongated metallic section 76 and 77 is formed by extruding strip of stock 90 through suitable die means shown as a die 91 and then cutting strip 90 to the desired lengths to form members 76 and 77. Die 91 has an opening means 92 therein defining a plurality of artistic contours thereby defining corresponding artistic contours in strip 90 and hence members 76 and 77.

Each elongated metallic member 26 and 31 defining the upper portion of side walls 23 and end walls 24 respectively is also formed by the extrusion process and such members 26 and 31 are cut to length from an elongated strip of metal stock 93 formed by extrusion through suitable die means 94. Die means 94 has contoured opening means 95 therein which defines a plurality of corresponding contours in member 93 and hence members 26 and 31.

Each elongated metallic member and comprising the lower portion of side wall 23 and end wall 24 respectively is formed by cutting such members to the proper length from an elongated contoured strip 100 which has been extruded through suitable die means or die 101 similar to dies 91 and 94. Die 101 has contoured opening means 102 provided therein which defines a plurality of corresponding contours in strip 100 and hence in members 25 and 30.

Each substantially L-shaped metallic member 65 and 66 defining the rectangular peripheral outline of bottom wall 21 is also formed by cutting such members to the proper length from an elongated L-shaped strip means 103 which has been extruded through suitable die means 104 having a suitable opening 105 provided therein which defines the substantially L-shaped peripheral configuration of member 103 and hence members 65 and 66.

Thus, it is seen that the major components comprising side walls 23, end wall 24, bottom wall means 21 and top wall means 22 are formed by extruding metallic members through suitable die means. The extrusion process lends itself to providing members having a plurality of artistic contours therein corresponding to the complex contours usually only provided in very expensive caskets. The extrusion process is, of course, simple, economical, and lends itself to providing contours of practically any desired artistic configuration without an increase in the costs of the resulting casket construction because it is only necessary to form the corresponding contour in the die means and simple extrude the metal therethrough. Basically the only cost is a die maintenance cost which is comparatively small.

The various metallic members have been described as being formed by extruding metal through suitable die means, it will be appreciated that such members are preferably made of metal containing aluminum (as previously mentioned) due to the ease with which aluminum is extruded and worked and due to the corrosion resistance, high structural strength, and durability of aluminum Further, by making the casket construction of this invention of metal containing aluminum a high strength construction is provided which has several times the wall thickness of other metal constructions, yet without providing a weight increase. Also, the forming of the various metallic members comprising the casket construction of this invention by the extrusion process efiectively eliminates post forming operations which enables the forming of the aluminum-containing members in fully hardened condition for greater strength.

In this example of the invention a rectangular casket construction has been illustrated and described and the joints provided at the corners defining the end walls and side walls are preferably formed by mitered joints. Such mitered joint construction makes possible cutting the adjoining elongated metallic members at any desired angle and then suitably welding or brazing to provide a joint which is fluid tight and which has a minimum of interruption of the contoured exterior surface. The manner of welding the particular mitered joint may be accomplished by any known welding technique, including, for example, the placement of welding sheet strips between the joints to be welded and then exposing such joints to a high ambient temperature so as to provide a practically flawless joint.

Each member 25 and 30 comprising the lower portion of side walls 23 and end walls 24 respectively has inwardly projecting flanges 33 and 42 at its bottom and top edges respectively. Similarly, each member 26 and 31 comprising the upper portion of side walls 23 and end walls 24 respectively has a similar horizontally extending flange 43.

As previously mentioned flanges 42 and 43 are suitably constructed to be placed in adjoining horizontal relation and preferably fastened by welding or brazing, each flange 33 is arranged to extend horizontally in the completed casket 20 and suitably fastened to an associated horizontal flange 7i, and each flange extends horizontally inwardly into casket 20 and is fastened to an associated flange 87. The inward horizontal extension and fastening of associated flanges 71 and 33, 42 and 43, and 85 and 87 further assure that casket 20 has improved structural strength and rigidity while enabling concealed fastening of the various individual metallic members comprising such casket without detracting from the artistic contours defining the exterior surface of casket 20. In addition, such horizontal extension is effectively utilized to provide a fluid tight connection between associated adjoining flanges.

The exterior aluminum surfaces comprising bottom wall means 21, side walls 23, end walls 24, and top wall means 22 may be suitably finished for increased protection of the metallic surfaces or to provide practically any desired appearance. For example, the natural brightness of aluminum enables use of a wider variety of superior finishing techniques including anodizing, scratch brushing, and the use of transparent tints and dyes.

The improved metal casket construction disclosed in this example of the invention is shown as having a substantially square rectangular outline with square corners. However, it will be appreciated that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide a casket construction having other peripheral outlines, such as approximately octagonal, for example, and such features may also be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide similar constructions having integral artistic contours therein for other uses, as desired.

The casket construction of this invention enables great production versatility. Thus, the various extrusions may be stocked in straight lengths and then cut and assembled to provide a casket construction of any desired size. Also, exterior appearance changes are accomplished merely by changing the extrusion dies without upsetting in-plant assembly techniques.

Tems such as bottom, bottom wall," side wall," end wall," top wall," top," inwardly," and the like, have been used throughout this disclosure for ease of description and to correspond to the arrangement of the various walls and members as illustrated in the drawings and it is to be understood that such terms are not to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

Thus, it is seen that a comparatively inexpensive improved metallic casket construction has been provided which has high structural strength, great durability, and a plurality of artistic contours in exterior wall means thereof giving the appearance of a top quality expensive casket.

Further, this invention provides an improved method of making such improved casket construction inexpensively.

While present preferred embodiments of the invention, and methods of practicing the same, have been illustrated and described, it will be recognized that the invention may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A casket construction having bottom wall means, top wall means, and metallic side wall means fastened between said bottom wall means and said top wall means, said side wall means having an outer configuration defined by a plurality of contours, said side wall means including a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls and a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart end walls arranged to define a substantially rectangular outline wherein each of said side walls and end walls has an identical outer configuration defined by said plurality of contours, each of said side walls and end walls extending substantially vertically and being made of a plurality of elongated rectilinear metallic members arranged horizontally one above the other and each member having integral flange means extending horizontally inwardly from at least one horizontal edge thereof toward the center of said casket construction, each flange means being fastened against an associated horizontal flange means of an adjoining member in a fluid tight manner to define an associated flange construction having only a double thickness, said inwardly extending flange means serving the dual purpose of holding said members together while providing increased strength and rigidity for said casket construction.

2. A casket construction as set forth in claim 1 in which said elongated members have their associated terminal ends fastened together by miter joint means.

3. A casket construction as set forth in claim 1 in which at least one elongated member of said plurality of members is formed with at least one right angle therein to define a part of a side wall and an end wall of said casket construction.

4. A casket construction having, bottom wall means, top wall means, and metallic side wall means fastened between said bottom wall means and said top wall means, said side wall means having an outer configuration defined by a plurality of contours, said wall means including a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls and a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart end walls arranged to define a substan tially rectangular outline wherein each of said side walls and end walls has an identical outer configuration defined by said plurality of contours, each of said side walls and end walls extending substantially vertically and being made of a plurality of elongated metallic horizontal members fastened together one above the other and comprising an upper member and a lower member, said lower members having identical contours and each lower member being defined by, a substantially horizontally extending first flange which is fastened to said bottom wall means, a substantially downwardly concave base portion having outer edge means adjoining and extending above outer edge means of said first flange and inner edge means extending above and inwardly of inner edge means of said first flange, an upper portion adjoining said inner edge means of said base portion and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom, and a substantially horizontally extending second flange extending inwardly from top edge means of said upper portion, said second flange having substantially the same width as said first flange and being arranged substantially vertically above said first flange.

5. A casket construction having, bottom wall means, top wall means, and metallic side wall means fastened between said bottom walls means and said top wall means, said side wall means having an outer configuration defined by a plurality of contours, said side wall means including a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls and a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart end walls arranged to define a substantially rectangular outline wherein each of said side walls and end walls has an identical outer configuration defined by said plurality of contours, each of said side walls and end walls extending substantially vertically and being made of a plurality of elongated metallic horizontal members fastened together one above the other and comprising an upper member and a lower member, said upper members having identical contours and each upper member being defined by, a substantially horizontally extending flange which is fastened to top horizontal edge means of an adjoining member, a lower portion adjoining outer edge means of said flange and extending upwardly therefrom defining a slightly obtuse included angle therebetween, an intermediate substantially V-shaped portion arranged substantially horizontally with its closed end arranged substantially above said flange means and with the terminal end of one of its leg adjoining top edge means of said lower portion, and substantially U-shaped flange means having a substantially vertically extending base adjoining the terminal end of the other leg of said V-shaped portion, said U- shaped flange means having a pair of parallel legs extending substantially horizontally inwardly from said base with outer surface means of one of said legs defining a bearing surface at the top edge of said side wall means.

6. A casket construction having, bottom wall means, top wall means, and metallic side wall means fastened between said bottom wall means and said top wall means, said side wall means having an outer configuration defined by a plurality of contours, said side wall means including a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls and a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart end walls arranged to define a substantially rectangular outline wherein each of said side walls and end walls has an identical outer configuration defined by said plurality of contours, each of said side walls and end walls extending substantially vertically and being made of a plurality of elongated metallic horizontal members fastened together one above the other, said top wall means being fonned by a pair of parallel spaced apart metallic side sections and a pair of parallel spaced apart metallic end sections arranged to define a substantially rectangular outline corresponding to the rectangular outline of said side walls and end walls, said sections in said top wall having identical contours with each section being defined by, a substantially L-shaped base portion wherein outside surface means of the horizontal section thereof defines bearing surface means for said top wall means, a substantially horizontal portion adjoining and extending inwardly from the top of the vertical leg of said L-shaped base portion, an inwardly inclined upwardly extending portion adjoining the terminal inner edge of said horizontal portion, and a substantially horizontal extending flange extending inwardly from top edge means of said inwardly inclined portion, said flange being adapted to be fastened to cover means comprising said top wall means.

7. A method of making a casket construction comprising the steps of, providing bottom wall means for said construction, extruding a plurality of elongated metallic members each having a plurality of contours and integral flange means extending therealong and defining terminal edge means thereof, arranging said plurality of elongated members to define a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls and a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart end walls, said members in each wall being positioned in vertically stacked relation in a plurality of parallel rectilinear paths with associated flange means adjoining each other and extending horizontally inwardly toward the center of said casket construction, fastening said elongated members together in a fluid tight manner by fastening each flange means against an associated flange means of an adjoining member to define an associated flange 8. The method as set forth in claim 7 and comprising the further step of fastening adjoining side walls and end walls of said casket construction together by fluid tight miter joint means at their temiinal ends.

9. The method as set forth in claim 7 in which at leat one side wall and adjoining end wall in said casket construction are defined by notching and bending the associated elongated members into two planes. 

1. A casket construction having bottom wall means, top wall means, and metallic side wall means fastened between said bottom wall means and said top wall means, said side wall means having an outer configuration defined by a plurality of contours, said side wall means including a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls and a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart end walls arranged to define a substantially rectangular outline wherein each of said side walls and end walls has an identical outer configuration defined by said plurality of contours, each of said side walls and end walls extending substantially vertically and being made of a plurality of elongated rectilinear metallic members arranged horizontally one above the other and each member having integral flange means extending horizontally inwardly from at least one horizontal edge thereof toward the center of said casket construction, each flange means being fastened against an associated horizontal flange means of an adjoining member in a fluid tight manner to define an associated flange construction having only a double thickness, said inwardly extending flange means serving the dual purpose of holding said members together while providing increased strength and rigidIty for said casket construction.
 2. A casket construction as set forth in claim 1 in which said elongated members have their associated terminal ends fastened together by miter joint means.
 3. A casket construction as set forth in claim 1 in which at least one elongated member of said plurality of members is formed with at least one right angle therein to define a part of a side wall and an end wall of said casket construction.
 4. A casket construction having, bottom wall means, top wall means, and metallic side wall means fastened between said bottom wall means and said top wall means, said side wall means having an outer configuration defined by a plurality of contours, said wall means including a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls and a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart end walls arranged to define a substantially rectangular outline wherein each of said side walls and end walls has an identical outer configuration defined by said plurality of contours, each of said side walls and end walls extending substantially vertically and being made of a plurality of elongated metallic horizontal members fastened together one above the other and comprising an upper member and a lower member, said lower members having identical contours and each lower member being defined by, a substantially horizontally extending first flange which is fastened to said bottom wall means, a substantially downwardly concave base portion having outer edge means adjoining and extending above outer edge means of said first flange and inner edge means extending above and inwardly of inner edge means of said first flange, an upper portion adjoining said inner edge means of said base portion and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom, and a substantially horizontally extending second flange extending inwardly from top edge means of said upper portion, said second flange having substantially the same width as said first flange and being arranged substantially vertically above said first flange.
 5. A casket construction having, bottom wall means, top wall means, and metallic side wall means fastened between said bottom walls means and said top wall means, said side wall means having an outer configuration defined by a plurality of contours, said side wall means including a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls and a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart end walls arranged to define a substantially rectangular outline wherein each of said side walls and end walls has an identical outer configuration defined by said plurality of contours, each of said side walls and end walls extending substantially vertically and being made of a plurality of elongated metallic horizontal members fastened together one above the other and comprising an upper member and a lower member, said upper members having identical contours and each upper member being defined by, a substantially horizontally extending flange which is fastened to top horizontal edge means of an adjoining member, a lower portion adjoining outer edge means of said flange and extending upwardly therefrom defining a slightly obtuse included angle therebetween, an intermediate substantially V-shaped portion arranged substantially horizontally with its closed end arranged substantially above said flange means and with the terminal end of one of its leg adjoining top edge means of said lower portion, and substantially U-shaped flange means having a substantially vertically extending base adjoining the terminal end of the other leg of said V-shaped portion, said U-shaped flange means having a pair of parallel legs extending substantially horizontally inwardly from said base with outer surface means of one of said legs defining a bearing surface at the top edge of said side wall means.
 6. A casket construction having, bottom wall means, top wall means, and metallic side wall means fastened between said bottom wall means and said top wall means, said side wall means having an outer confiGuration defined by a plurality of contours, said side wall means including a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls and a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart end walls arranged to define a substantially rectangular outline wherein each of said side walls and end walls has an identical outer configuration defined by said plurality of contours, each of said side walls and end walls extending substantially vertically and being made of a plurality of elongated metallic horizontal members fastened together one above the other, said top wall means being formed by a pair of parallel spaced apart metallic side sections and a pair of parallel spaced apart metallic end sections arranged to define a substantially rectangular outline corresponding to the rectangular outline of said side walls and end walls, said sections in said top wall having identical contours with each section being defined by, a substantially L-shaped base portion wherein outside surface means of the horizontal section thereof defines bearing surface means for said top wall means, a substantially horizontal portion adjoining and extending inwardly from the top of the vertical leg of said L-shaped base portion, an inwardly inclined upwardly extending portion adjoining the terminal inner edge of said horizontal portion, and a substantially horizontal extending flange extending inwardly from top edge means of said inwardly inclined portion, said flange being adapted to be fastened to cover means comprising said top wall means.
 7. A method of making a casket construction comprising the steps of, providing bottom wall means for said construction, extruding a plurality of elongated metallic members each having a plurality of contours and integral flange means extending therealong and defining terminal edge means thereof, arranging said plurality of elongated members to define a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls and a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart end walls, said members in each wall being positioned in vertically stacked relation in a plurality of parallel rectilinear paths with associated flange means adjoining each other and extending horizontally inwardly toward the center of said casket construction, fastening said elongated members together in a fluid tight manner by fastening each flange means against an associated flange means of an adjoining member to define an associated flange construction having only a double thickness, said elongated members being fastened together during said fastening step so that the contours in each member cooperate with the contours of an adjoining member to give the side walls and end walls the identical contoured appearance said inwardly extending flange means also providing increased strength and rigidity for said casket construction, attaching bottom flange means of the bottom elongated member of each wall to said bottom wall means in a fluid tight manner, and providing top wall means for the casket construction.
 8. The method as set forth in claim 7 and comprising the further step of fastening adjoining side walls and end walls of said casket construction together by fluid tight miter joint means at their terminal ends.
 9. The method as set forth in claim 7 in which at least one side wall and adjoining end wall in said casket construction are defined by notching and bending the associated elongated members into two planes. 